CHAPTER VIII.
“YOU are not alone, Monsieur Lucien,” said the bandit.
“Do not let that disturb you, Orlandi. This gentleman is a friend of mine, who has heard me speak of you, and wished to pay you a visit. I could not think of refusing him that pleasure.”
“Monsieur is welcome to the country,” said the bandit, bowing as he advanced towards us.
I returned his salute with the most punctilious politeness.
“You must have been waiting here some time,” continued Orlandi.
“Yes, about twenty minutes.”
“Quite so. I heard Diamond howling at Mucchio, and he has been with me quite a quarter of an hour since then; he is a good and faithful dog, is he not, Monsieur Lucien?”
“Yes, indeed he is, Orlandi,” replied Lucien, as he patted the animal.
“But,” said I, “since you knew that Monsieur Lucien was here, why did you not come sooner?”